Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Lena Epstein, a leading candidate to replace Rep. David Trott in Congress, says it's time to end the secret congressional slush fund that allows legislators to cover up sexual harassment on the taxpayer's dime.

Epstein blasted the secret slush fund in a statement.“Over the last 20 years, $17M of taxpayer funds have been paid by the federal Office of Compliance to settle 268 sealed complaints of congressional staffers," Epstein said. "It’s time we put an end to these secret settlements. Americans have a right to know where and to whom their hard-earned tax dollars are going. It is yet another example of the swamp mentality that has plagued Washington D.C. for decades."

Epstein says this issue transcends party lines.

This is non-partisan issue. I appreciate and stand behind legislation that has been introduced in the House on this matter. If elected to Congress, I promise to fight for our taxpayers and put an end to secret settlements.”

Epstein, a business owner and former Michigan Trump campaign co-chair, faces business owner Rocky Raczkowski, former Congressman Kerry Bentivolio, State Rep. Klint Kesto, and Plymouth Twp. Supervisor Kurt Heise in the 11th Congressional District GOP primary...__________________________________________________________________Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.